Heating element support unit for ovens and the like



a z m m m M, m 0 m W m K B R. H. DEAL HEATING ELEMENT SUPPORT UNIT FOROVENS AND THE LIKE Filed March 29, 1948 Aug. 9, 1949.

Patented Aug. 9, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEATING ELEMENTSUPPORT UN QR OVENS .AND THE LIKE Robert H. Deal, Albion, Mich.

Appli ation March .29, s8;,$ N9 W531 3 Cla ms.- 1

This -inver tien relates to improvements in heating element support unitfor ovens and the like.

The main objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a heating element support unit for ovens and the likewhich is efficient for supporting the heating element and at the sametime one which permits a very rapid assembly of the heating element andthe insulators therefor with the support without tools.

,Second, to provide a heating unit of the class descr bed which y beeconomi y p odu and at the same time is eiiective in supporting theheating element in efiectively insulated relation to the supportingparts.

Third, to provide a unit of the class described which minimizes laborand time in the assembly of the heating element with the support.

Further objects relating to details and economies of my invention willappear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in theclaims.

A structure embodying my invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of myinvention having a heating element partially assembled therewith andillustrating steps in the assembly or method of assembly, portions ofthe heating element being shown by dotted lines.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section on line 2-2of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view partially in section illustrating one ofthe steps or stages of assembling an insulator with a supporting clip.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view partially in section illustrating aninsulator completely as- 1 sembled with its supporting clip.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated and described is an ovenheating unit and comprises a border frame I formed of wire or light rodand comprising opposed side members 2-2, a plurality of rod like crossmembers 3 extend between the side members 2 and are welded thereto asindicated at 4 in Figure 1. These cross members are arranged in spacedparallel relation.

Each cross member is provided with a plurality of U-shaped clips 5having outwardly converging arms 6 and fiat bights I. The flat bightsare disposed upon and longitudinally of the cross rods and securedthereto by the welds indicated at 8.

The arms of the clips are springable and preferably substantiallystraight throughout the major portion of their length but merge with thediverging tips 9 providing throats adapted to receive the reducedcentered portions In of the insulators H. The arms are springable sothat th ir mite en ma be Sprung a a t Permit h ent an of the s ater to he te 9 conversin pe ta n se i in p insab r gage the reduced portions ofthe insulator and rc 12. am sie award n h i hi 9i the li s The set 9f is m unt d 9 the 9 9 m. W d i a arran ed 59 that $9351? e ming s ip O ets ar al ned shel e in Fl su e In t e emb d ment i u trated, the bordeflame ress m mbe s a d th sl s a e iermee 9 or light rod stock and areeconomical to produce and assemble. The heating element 12 is of thecoiled resistance wire type so that it may be easily conformed forassembling with the support. In the structure illustrated, 20 insulatorsand supporting clips therefor are provided. In assembling these theinsulators are threaded upon the heating element and are successivelyengaged with the clips, for example, beginning with the clip first atposition A, Figure 1, the first insulator on the heating element ispushed into the clip and successive insulators being engaged withsuccessive clips. One end of the resistance element as i3 is extended tobe connected with suitable terminal or contact posted, the other endbeing preferably extended and connected after the heating element iscompletely assembled. This arrangement of parts enables the very rapidassembling of the heating elements by unskilled persons without the useof tools and without liability of injury to the insulator or the heatingelement. When assembled, the heating element is afiectably supported andprotected, but should occasion require, it may be easily removed and anew element substituted without the aid of a skilled mechanic oroperator and without likelihood of injuring the supporting parts.

The structures embodying my invention are economical in parts andassembly and enable the very rapid and eificient assembly of the heatingelement and its insulators. I have illustrated and described myinvention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. I have not attemptedto illustrate or describe other modifications or adaptations which Icontemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable thoseskilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desiredfor particular installations.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A heating unit of the class described comprising, a border framehaving opposed side members, a plurality of cross rods disposed inparallel 3 spaced relation and having their ends fixedly secured to saidopposed side members, and a plurality of sets of U-shaped clips formedof springable wire disposed in upright longitudinally spaced relation onsaid cross rods, said clips having flattened bights disposedlongitudinally of the cross rods and welded thereto and havingsubstantially straight inwardly converging springable arms adapted tospringably receive an insulator between them and springably urge theelements downwardly upon the bights, the arms having outwardly divergingtip portions, the inner sides of which merge with the inner sides of thearms of the clips in curved lines, corresponding clips of the sets beingarranged on the rods ing springable arms adapted to springably re- 13.

ceive vone of said grooved insulators between them and springably urgethe grooved insulator downwardly against the loop, so that the bottom ofthe groove will be clamped between said arms and said looped portion ofsaid clip, cooperating 30 clips of the set being arranged on the rods inthe desired pattern.

3. A heating element support of the class described comprising asupporting structure, a plurality of springable substantially U-shapedclips having inwardly converging arms disposed at desired supportingpositions on the supporting structure, and a plurality of groovedspool-like insulators removablyinserted in and held by the clips, thespringable arms of the clips being spaced apart in their inner portionsa distance greater than the diameter of the grooved portion .of theinsulator and having their converging portions defining a throat lessthan such diameter and spaced outwardly from the bight of the clip 7 adistance greater than one-half of the diameter whereby an insulatorinserted through the throat of the clip is springably held and retainedand is urged thereinto with parts of the arms and the bight of the clipwithin the groove of the insulator and arranged to clamp the insulatorbetween said arms and bight.

ROBERT H. DEAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,493,386 Rice May 6, 19241,538,972 Conradty May 26, 1925 1,615,571 Crecelius Jan. 25, 19272,316,222 Butters Apr. 13, 1943

